Smoke is a 13-year-old, 15.1hh Gray/Red Roan Appaloosa Gelding for lease ($200/month), or possible Sale ($1400 firm). He is located in Mooresville, NC. He loves to ride and LOVES to be around people. The girl riding him in the pictures and YouTube videos is a VERY confident 15-year-old, and she did great with him, and vice versa. Even though he is a VERY friendly horse, I am not recommending him for an absolute BEGINNER or TIMID RIDER (Please be absolutely confident and honest about your riding ability. If you haven't ridden in years or you are nervous about cantering, etc., then you ARE a beginner or timid rider).
He is very forward moving and is capable of quite a bit of speed, BUT only when asked. He can easily be controlled by a secure and patient rider. He will not canter unless the rider gives him the command. He is not a lazy horse, but he is NOT hot and out-of-control either. He knows voice commands. His normal walk can be a bit faster than most horses....BUT, if you don't get overly excited or nervous, he can very EASILY be controlled. He looks to his rider for direction and confidence. You NEVER have to kick him to make him go; he just needs a click and verbal command. He trail rides great and seems to love it. He goes everywhere on the trails and will bravely work with his rider on any new obstacles he may encounter. He needs to ride with other horses if you are not a total confident rider. If you are confident, he will bravely go anywhere. He boards with numerous other horses/owners, so there are always people to ride with. Lauren (the girl in all the videos) led with him on the trail, and rode solo around the property and in the arena with no problems. He is a VERY friendly horse (towards other horses and people) with absolutely NO buck, kick, bite, or rear. He responds well to verbal commands and leg pressure. He backs, side passes, neck reins, and has polite ground manners. He ties very well, but has never been cross-tied. He is a fun and friendly horse to work with and he eagerly does everything asked of him.
His only vice would be that he does not like a bath/water or fly spray, but he will tolerate it if you are patient and talk him through it. He will cross mud and water on the trail with no problems.
A lease/liability contract will need to be signed if you are interested in leasing, as he is boarded on private property. Take a look at the other videos under my YouTube channel. There are different videos featuring Smoke (trail, arena work, cantering, climbing hills, and even pole bending at a local show - where he got 2nd place!).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O M-snKZvU-c (copy & paste). Click on my "other videos" to see more.
**PROSPECTIVE "FOR SALE" PEOPLE: I am going to be VERY picky if you are interested in buying. I "rescued" him in 2006 and he only deserves the best forever home and care. The only reason I am considering selling is because I have very limited riding time, and he is just too good and loving of a horse to be standing around doing nothing.
**He had his teeth floated/sheath cleaned, and received polyglycan shot on 2/24/2012.
**He received his yearly shots/current coggins/polyglycan shot on 4/25/2012.
**Polyglycan on 6/5/2012.
**Polyglycan on 8/9/2012.
**Polyglycan on 10/19/2012. Also West Nile booster.
**Polyglycan on 2/1/13.
**Yearly shots, current coggins, and maintenance polyglycan shot on 4/23/13.
**Shoes removed all around on 5/7/13.
For any further questions, feel free to contact (you can email, text, or call). 704-658-6423. Thanks for looking!